Kenyan MPs to begin debate on key bills

Written By:James Rono/Margaret Kalekye,    Posted: Mon, Apr 25, 2011

Debate on the bill was deferred last week to allow MPs to discuss the rising food and fuel prices.

Parliament is expected to commence debate on a Bill seeking to establish a new electoral and boundaries body when it resumes its business Tuesday after the Easter holiday.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Bill is lined up for debate Tuesday afternoon, alongside the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Bill.

Debate on the bill was deferred last week to allow MPs to discuss the rising food and fuel prices.

The House has already missed the March deadline for legislation on the Supreme Court.

IEBC Bill seeks to create a nine-member electoral body that would oversee next year's General Election and future ones.

According to the bill, the chairperson and vice chairperson of the proposed body shall serve for a single term of six years and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.

IEBC will replace the Interim Independent Electoral Commission, formed as a transitional body after the Electoral Commission of Kenya was disbanded following the disputed 2007 General Election.

Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura has directed ministries to cooperate with institutions monitoring implementation of the Constitution as the August 27 deadline nears.

MPs are racing against time to pass some 27 Bills in the next four months that the Constitution requires are enacted within a year.

According to the first quarterly report of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC), MPs are also likely to miss the deadlines for April and May.